1. Calling All Parents Helping your teen succeed in high school

2. 2 PARENT- Job Description JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings, weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required. RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable and regularly embarrassed. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of cheap toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final and complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility. POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis. WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offers frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more. BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

3. 3 Mission Statement Together with the Halton community, the Health Department works to achieve the best possible health for all.

4. 4 Iroquois Ridge High School To be the centre for life-long learning responding to the community, through education. 1. All grade 9 students will achieve 70% (Level 3) in each of the key learnings by the end of June 2009. 2. By June 2009, all members of our school community will increase involvement by 5%. 3. By June 2009, the IRHS community will improve the awareness of the global learner by 10%.

5. 5 Understanding the Adolescent Brain Garfield Gini-Newman OISE/University of Toronto

6. Parenting Exercise What was it like for you? What did your parents do?

7. 7 What worries youth about high school today? Workload Social life Larger school Social Issues Motivate Report, June 2003

8. 8 How you can help with workload concerns Get organized Establish routines Be positive Talk with other people Help them juggle

9. 9 How you can help with their social life Encourage involvement in school activities (get involved yourself) Get to know your teen’s friends ….and their parents Negotiate rules and consequences for attending social events Talk to your teen about what makes a good friend

10. 10 Feeling comfortable in a larger school Empathize and listen Identify adults they can go to Spend time in the school yourself Encourage lots of questions Ask them what they need

11. 11 How you can help with social issues Be informed Ask questions Know who to go to Role play….”what if” Look for opportunities to encourage your teen to talk

12. 12 Effective communication Listen more, talk less Listen for feelings Use “I” messages Ask open questions Humour helps Choose good times to talk Be respectful…or leave.

13. 13 40 Developmental Assets Positive experiences, relationships, opportunities and personal qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring and responsible Promote academic success Divert youth from risky behaviors Increase civic engagement

14. 14 40 Developmental Assets: 5 Examples Youth receive support from 3+ non-parent adults 45% Youth perceive that adults value youth 25% Adults model positive/responsible behaviour 30% Youth knows how to plan ahead and make choices 30% Youth is actively engaged in learning 61%

15. 15 Take care of yourself as a parent If your needs are being met, it’s easier to be patient, consistent and available for your teen.

16. 16 From a youth perspective “Never give up on me.” “Give me a voice. Take me seriously.” “Feed my interests.” “Challenge me to succeed; comfort me when I fail.” “Set fair boundaries.” “Let me play.” “Have realistic expectations.” “Tell me what’s good about me.” “Help me hope and dream.” “Teach acceptance and respect.”

17. 17 Helping your teen succeed in high school and beyond Continue involvement (in school and community) Nurture them Monitor activities Encourage positive relationships Practice effective communication

18. 18 Resources www.halton.ca www.irhs.ca www.haltonyouth.ca

19. 19 Parenting Programs Sue Graham, Parent Coordinator Cheryl Giles, School Council Tuesdays at 10….and 7 Parent Engagement Program Parents Corner

20. 20 For more information call… Halton Region Health Department at 905-825-6000, ext 2987 Toll free: 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) TTY 905-827-9833 www.halton.ca/health